Emilie Meyer
Cooking a whole fryer chicken in a crock pot is a great option for busy weekdays when you need dinner to be ready as soon as you get home. It's a simple, low-fuss way to cook a whole chicken with minimal effort and the results are delicious. You can cook a whole chicken in a crock pot in a variety of ways, including rotisserie-style, fried, or roasted. The slow cooker keeps the chicken perfectly tender, moist, and juicy, and helps to lock in flavour.
Characteristics and Values Table for Cooking Whole Fryer Chicken in a Crock Pot
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cook Time | 3.5-4 hours on high or 7-8 hours on low |
| Chicken Weight | 4.5-6.5 lbs |
| Prep Time | 10 minutes |
| Temperature | 160-165 F |
| Rest Time | 10-15 minutes |
| Ingredients | Chicken, onion, carrots, potatoes, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, dried thyme, dried rosemary, olive oil, butter |
| Equipment | Crock pot, digital thermometer, kitchen twine |
| Sides | Biscuits, yeast rolls, garlic knots, rice, salad |
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What You'll Learn
Prepping the chicken
To prep the chicken, start by choosing the right size of chicken that will fit inside your crock pot. If you have a smaller round slow cooker, opt for a smaller bird. You can also use a larger oval crock pot, which can accommodate almost any chicken size.
Next, remove any giblets or innards from the chicken and pat it dry with paper towels. You can then season the chicken. In a small bowl, mix together your choice of spices. A simple spice blend could include brown sugar, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, and smoked paprika. Alternatively, you can use paprika, onion powder, thyme, garlic powder, cayenne pepper, and black pepper for a rotisserie-style chicken. You can also season the chicken with butter and herbs, Italian spices, or your favourite blend of seasonings. Rub the seasoning all over the chicken, making sure to season inside the cavity and under the skin on the breasts.
Additionally, you can add a few pats of butter under the skin of the chicken breasts for extra flavour and moisture. You can also place a halved or quartered onion, garlic, and lemon inside the chicken's cavity.
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Choosing the right crock pot
Size: The crock pot should be large enough to accommodate the chicken comfortably. If you plan to cook a larger chicken, opt for an oval-shaped crock pot, which can fit almost any size chicken. If you have a smaller chicken, a round slow cooker will work just fine.
Functionality: Basic crock pots are perfect for cooking whole chickens. There is no need for fancy features or expensive models. A simple, affordable crock pot from Amazon or another retailer will do the job just fine.
Temperature Settings: It is recommended to cook the whole chicken on high heat. This ensures that the chicken reaches a food-safe temperature faster. Look for a crock pot with a high-temperature setting to follow food safety guidelines and avoid undercooking.
Timing: Consider the timing features of your crock pot. Some crock pots have timers that allow you to set the cooking time, ensuring that your chicken doesn't overcook if you're away from the kitchen. This feature can be especially useful if you plan to cook the chicken while you're out or at work.
Material: Opt for a crock pot with a removable inner pot made of ceramic or porcelain. These materials are excellent heat conductors and make cleaning much easier. Avoid non-stick coatings, as they may not be as durable or effective at distributing heat evenly.
By considering the size, functionality, temperature settings, timing features, and material of the crock pot, you can choose the right one for cooking a delicious, tender, and juicy whole fryer chicken.
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Cooking time and temperature
The cooking time and temperature for a whole fryer chicken in a crock pot depend on the size of the chicken and the desired doneness. It is recommended to cook the chicken on high heat for at least one hour for food safety purposes. A whole chicken cooked on high heat in the crock pot for 3-4 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F in the thickest part of the thigh is considered safe to eat.
For a 4.5 to 5.5-pound chicken, cooking it on high for 3.5 to 4 hours or on low for 7 to 8 hours is recommended. If you are using a smaller crock pot, it is advisable to choose a smaller bird. The cooking time can be adjusted accordingly, with a general guideline of 4 hours on high or 7 to 8 hours on low for a whole chicken.
It is important to note that the cooking time may vary depending on the desired doneness of the chicken. If you prefer your chicken to be falling-off-the-bone tender, you may need to cook it for a longer period. Additionally, it is crucial to use a digital thermometer to ensure the chicken is properly cooked. The internal temperature should reach 160°F before removing it from the crock pot, and it will continue to cook as it rests.
To prevent the chicken from drying out, ensure there is sufficient moisture in the crock pot. This can be achieved by adding water or chicken stock at the beginning of the cooking process. It is also important to avoid overcooking the chicken, as it can become mushy if cooked for too long.
For food safety reasons, it is not recommended to cook a frozen chicken in the crock pot. It is essential to thaw the chicken in the refrigerator before cooking it.
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Making gravy
Once your ingredients are roasted, transfer them to your slow cooker, adding in some butter, shallots, and garlic. Cook and stir until combined, then add in your mushrooms and rosemary. Once everything is cooked through, add in your white wine and heavy cream, stirring to combine. Cover and cook on low heat for about 30 minutes, or until thickened.
If you want to thicken your gravy, you can create a cornflour slurry by slowly stirring liquid into the cornflour until it forms a paste. You can then pour this into your gravy and stir through. Alternatively, you can use flour to thicken your gravy. Simply melt some butter in a pan over medium-low heat and whisk in some flour. Cook this briefly until it starts to bubble, then slowly whisk in some of the hot broth from your slow cooker. Once smooth, pour this mixture back into the slow cooker and whisk to combine.
Your gravy can be kept in the fridge for up to 3 days or frozen for up to 3 months. To reheat, simply place the gravy in a saucepan and gently simmer until hot.
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Serving suggestions
A whole chicken cooked in a crock pot can be served in a variety of ways. The chicken can be served as it is, with a side of vegetables, bread, or salad. You can also make a gravy with the juices from the crock pot and serve it with mashed potatoes.
Leftovers can be used in sandwiches, pasta, chicken salad, soups, enchiladas, and more. You can also use the bones and skin to make a stock.
If you want to add a crispy texture to the chicken, transfer it to a baking dish and put it under the broiler for a few minutes.
- Serve the chicken with warm bread and roasted broccoli.
- Serve with rice and salad.
- Use the leftover chicken in a recipe like Easy Chicken Enchilada Rice Casserole.
- Make Creamy Pasta with Buffalo Chicken.
- Use the leftover chicken in a soup.
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Frequently asked questions
Cooking time depends on the size of your chicken. A 4.5 to 5.5 lb. whole chicken in the crock pot takes 3 1/2 to 4 hours on high or 7-8 hours on low.
The chicken is done when the internal temperature reaches 165 F and the juices run clear.
You can cook vegetables like onion, carrots, potatoes, parsnips, turnips, and sweet potatoes in the crock pot along with the chicken.
Do not cook a frozen chicken in the crock pot for food safety reasons. If your chicken is frozen, let it thaw in the refrigerator for a few days before cooking it in the crock pot.
You can use the leftover chicken in sandwiches, pasta, chicken salad, chicken pot pie, or a casserole.
